Nollywood actress and producer Adanma Luke has asked Nigerians for forgiveness following the sad boat accident that killed actor John Odonwodo, aka Junior Pope, and four others.
In a video posted on her Instagram page on Monday, Luke, the producer of the film “The Other Side of Life,” in which the crew appeared before their deaths, revealed that she has been despondent since the tragedy in April.
She further stated that she is rapidly losing her life and is in need of prayers.
Luke acknowledged the criticism she has received online since the incident, saying, “I’m just here to say that I’m sorry.” I apologise, Nigerians. I apologise for taking your j from what others are saying.
“I’m very sad. As much as I try to be strong, I don’t see myself as strong. I’m so sad that this had to happen on my set. I’m sad that they had to work for me at that particular time. I’m not God. It has been destined to happen; it is meant to happen, but why me?
“I never liked the internet drama, but this whole thing put me out there. A lot of people have been dragging me; some have been calling me, ‘Ada, don’t talk. Let this die; don’t talk’. But I go through a lot.”
Luke disclosed she has been suffering from despair and has been unable to work or seek employment since the incident.
Luke added, “I did not even know what depression was until this incident happened. I’m gradually losing my life. I’m regretting a lot of things. I don’t even know how to call people for jobs.
“People are even saying I went on vacation; I’m here for business. I’ve been indoors doing nothing and yet still catering to the families that lost their loved ones. Where do you people expect me to get all the money from? I need to work.
“I go through so much. I’m trying to heal, but it’s not coming back. We all loved JP, and we all loved the other people who also lost their lives, my crew members.
“My friends want me to get my sanity back, but I’m not seeing myself doing all that. I believe that if anything happens to me now, everybody will rest. I didn’t do it on purpose. God, why me? Please, Nigerians, I’m sorry.
The actress also discussed the circumstances surrounding the boat tragedy, revealing that she had requested a better site to shoot the film and was assured by her crew that the spot was safe.
“I haven’t visited Asaba in the past two years until that incident. I asked for a better location to shoot that movie, and they took me there,” she said.
“The first time I went there before the main shooting, I asked why they weren’t providing life jackets. Then my PM told me that is how they do it there—that a lot of people have been crossing and nothing is happening. They’ve been shooting there; I wasn’t the first person to shoot a movie there; they shoot there all the time. I wasn’t even filming on the water; it was a means of transportation to the place,” she added.
Chronicle NG reported that following the incident in April, the Actors Guild of Nigeria barred actors from participating in any film produced by Luke until further notice.